This course will cover the development of record keeping systems over the last 150 years, a range of Records Management issues, records appraisal, disaster planning and management techniques for record keeping professionals. It will provide also a brief overview of archives and records theory and of digital curation.

10x 2hr seminars over 10 weeks.

INFOST5008

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Short essay of c. 2,000 words - 50%

■ Timed essay (four hours) - the timed essay is set to mirror a situation which might happen when practicing as an archivist, records manager, or digital curator, when a professional might be asked to submit a report or other response to a problem which has arisen in the service, or been posed by senior management. - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the short essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the timed essay but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Give students a thorough understanding of the principles behind archives and records management theory and practice;

■ Underpin the rest of the IMP programme by giving students a comprehensive insight into professional principles and concepts, and by providing them with a sound foundation from which to begin their professional practice;

■ outline the compliance and regulatory requirements of the creation, management, and disposal of records

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ explain differing approaches to records management and archives;

■ critically appreciate the differing issues surrounding archives and records management in the public and private sectors;

■ evidence a knowledge of the records lifecycle and the key relationship between archives and records management functions within many organisations including an ability to demonstrate how these may be applied;

■ appreciate the requirements for minimising legal and fiduciary risk;

■ Establish an awareness of the legal framework affecting record keeping outlined in national and international civil, criminal and company law.